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Saturday, October 1, 2011

October 2011 Release Day 1

Hello! Happy World Card Making Day! Not only is it WCMD, it's that time again...Release Week! For those of you that are new to Wplus9, we will spend the next couple of days getting up close and personal with the products that we will be releasing this month. All previewed items will be available for purchase on October 5th at www.wplus9.com.

Today we are kicking off Day 1 of our October Release with a bang! We have 4 new stamp sets to introduce this month, and they are all centered around the winter season. When it comes to Christmas in this industry, it's very difficult to conceptualize something that isn't already over-saturated in the market. But, we have done it! Now, I can't claim that there isn't anything else like these out there, but they are certainly uncommon. I am very proud to introduce Fair Isle Backgrounds and Winter Wishes.

Today's first card totally focuses on the wonderful patterns that can be created with Fair Isle Backgrounds.

I started by stamping several patterns onto white cardstock. There are so many different possible combinations with this set that I don't think I'll ever bore with it.

Although most of our background stamps are just over 5.5 inches long to accommodate a standard card base, I should mention that 2 of the more intricate patterns in this set are just under 5.5 inches long. Once I had all of my patterns created, I created the sentiment strip. I used a sentiment from Poinsettia Patterns and flanked it with one of the single images included in Fair Isle Backgrounds.

To finish, I inked all of the edges with Tim Holtz Distress Ink and stitched them together before adhering to a Kraft card base. I just love how warm and rustic this card is, and though it is technically one layer, flat, and mail-friendly...it is by no means boring.

Next up, I guess you could call this the girly version.

I started the same way as last time, creating my background panel using different fair isle patterns. I'm telling you, these are so easy to use, and create the most amazing backgrounds, borders, and accents!

Those cute mittens and sentiment are from Winter Wishes. I stamped the mittens three times in row, and then added the little string image also included in the set. Notice how the patterns match the Fair Isle Backgrounds? I just love them. I added little brads to hang them from. Another flat embellishment, making this card pretty mail friendly!

I added the sentiment by cutting a die cut from our Label Layers 1 Die in half and tucking it under the focal panel before stitching. I am so in love with that font!

Now, let's take a closer look at Winter Wishes. First up, I wanted to use these cute little clothespins that my mother found for me.

I just love how this card turned out, and it happens to be Hunter's favorite. This set comes with the most fantastic fair isle patterned medallions. Our Mehndi Medallions set was so popular, that I just knew I wanted to do a follow up set. If you are a fan, you will love these. I started by stamping one of the medallions onto the top and lower edge of a piece of patterned paper from the Mischievous Collection (My Mind's Eye).

In the center of this, I added a strip of Nordic Holiday (Basic Grey) patterned paper and stitched in place.

For the focal image, I added a cute pair of those mittens to hang from a "clothesline". This time I used a simple piece of crochet thread.

Finally, for my last card, I wanted to let those medallions shine.

I created my background by stamping several of the medallions in blue, red, navy, and gray onto white cardstock.

The sentiment was added directly over another medallion stamped in blue. And of course, another pair of those cute mittens hanging from a button to finish it off. Love.

I can't express enough how versatile and fun these stamps are to use. Fair Isle Backgrounds is a great staple set, perfect for winter, baby, and any quilting/knitting themes. It's great for adding a warm and homey feeling to any project. The sentiments in Winter Wishes are generic enough to be used all winter long in addition to those Holiday/Christmas cards. You know me, I'm all about classic staples and tend to shy away from those overly trendy or cutesy items. A little can't hurt, but I'm always thinking about stamps that will last the test of time.

Want to see more? Head on over for a visit with the Design Team to see what they've been up to. They all have their own unique styles and some of the girls are celebrating World Card Making Day with contests complete with Wplus9 prizes, you won't want to miss it!

So, have we turned you into a Fair Isle fan? Would you like to win Fair Isle Backgrounds, and Winter Wishes! Just leave me a comment by 9:00 AM EST October 2nd telling me what you are most excited about from today's previews to enter. I will select one random winner from all comments. Winners will be posted here.

Oh My! This is going to be the awesome-st release! I totally agree with you when you say that you have conceptualize something different. I am in love with these sets. I think Fairy Isle Background is so versatile that it can be used on any project! I have always loved the mehndi medallion set and so the sequel is something I look forward to and although we don't celebrate Christmas on a very large scale in India, I think those mittens are so very cute. How about using them on a cookbook? I am so in love :)

What gorgeous samples and what a super duper DT you have as well!This set has me feeling all warm and fuzzy inside; it reminds me of those winter sweaters and I know that there's potentially hours of fun creating patterns with it!Hugs,Aimesx

On my goodness! I love background stamps, because I love making my own backgrounds! And as for those mittens, I just have to have them! I don't own any mittens, the real kind or the stamping kind, but these are a must have! You have made some absolutely gorgeous cards!

OMG.....I have gone to heaven!!! I must get these sets!!! Looks at all those patterns and styles you can create!!!! I am very anxious to see what else you have up your sleeve for the release!!!! Thanks Dawn......your samples are just INCREDIBLE!!!

OH MY! I just looooooooooove your plum, pink, and green color combo! GORGEOUS:) LOVE those images too--beautiful and perfect for the Christmas holiday!!! THANKS for the chance to win:) sbmmhoover at yahoo dot com

The new sets are wonderful and rightaway what i am looking for for a long time.Absolutely fantastic!And your cards are gorgeous, especially the one with the fair isle backgrounds.Greetings from germany, Susanne

Oh, WOW!!!! I just LOVE both stamp sets but, holy moly, would that GORGEOUS Fair Isle Backgrounds stamp set come in handy or what? SO versatile and I LOVE all of the vivd colours that you stamped it in...simply STUNNING!

This is QUITE the list of materials, my friend! {HOLY MOLY!} WOW! FIRST of all - these sets are STUNNING! Secondly - Basic Grey should be giving YOU royalties - your stamps compliment that line so WONDERFULLY! These samples are screaming: ALL THE JOY that is stamping! The only way I could love them more would be it I were at a stamping getaway, with YOU and the W9ers, for a WEEK - somewhere in the snow, at an event, catered {not by us!} where all we had to do was stamp, laugh our you-know-what's off and drink hot cocoa mixed with peppermint stick stirrers.. {and WHO knows what else!} tee hee

These sets just couldn't be more perfect for creating your own patterned paper, and you've illustrated that brilliantly! Plus, I LOVE the way you've used half the patterned circle to create those stampy scallops!